escordvi | closed 🪶⚡ all i really, really ever want is under the mistletoe

[He honestly wouldn't care and still ask—but there is a small rise of his brows before he smiles as he takes that last bite, eyes warm.]

It is...and now that you mention it, it has been a while since we've been on a proper one, hasn't it?

Mm, it is. And you still owe me several.

[She dips her finger onto the plate and takes it between her lips, tasting the sauce on its own.]

Would you call this one?

[Hmmmm.]

Hard to really call it one when we're technically "working." Unless you actually enjoy something more "thrilling" like that for a date.

Mm, while I would prefer a different sort of thrill on a date...

[She reaches up to adjust the collar of his jacket with a fond tilt of her head.]

There is something to be said about the sort of thrill this brings... [She lowers her voice so that only he can hear her beneath the din of conversation and music.] It is rare we get to enjoy both at the same time.

[There's a slight gleam in his eyes as he lowers his head closer to hers, the hand not holding the plate at her waist as the space between them closes.]

It's true... We haven't really done anything like this, have we?

[She drags him closer in turn, until her back is to the wall, putting them further from the crowds of mingling people. With a bump of her hips against his, her eyes dart to another table of food and then back to him, thoughtful.]

Not quite... Though, it does remind me a little of our first date...

[That she was adamant about not calling it a date at the time.]

[They've just got here and they're already doing this—not that he's surprised or minding. Instead he just smirks as he lets her pull him along, the plate at some discarded before they disappear off to the side.]

When we posed as another couple?

[Don't worry, they won't stay here forever... maybe. They still have a job to do, and more food to sample, but... It has been a long trip across Nogard to get here, she wants to savour the closeness a bit. Besides, they can't risk being overheard...]

Mm... We are very lucky the restaurant did not know them.

[She picks a piece of lint off his jacket.]

But we do not really have to pose anymore, do we?

[A low hum as his gaze lingers on her for a moment before his hand moves down to hers, lifting it up so that he's bringing the finger with the ring close to his lips.]

Not as much, no. But still a little longer.

[She purrs quietly near his ear, the brush of his fingers near that ring doing things to her that they should not. It stokes a fire within her, as well as makes her heart flutter when his breath tickles her skin.]

Have we not already fooled everyone in this room by simply being here?

[She brushes her lips against his cheek as she pulls back to look at him, affection dimming some of that heat.]

Though it does not really matter what we are doing...

[As heated as his own gaze is, the smile he wears is much more fond and affectionate.]

Not at all. Which is why that guard must have been blind to not see it.

[A small click of his tongue, but it's playful.]

[She chuckles under a breath.]

You know...

[There's a poignant pause, a shyness creeping up into her again. For all the haughtiness and confidence she wears so easily on her skin, there are moments like this that she wishes that she could use them to hide behind... but they would not feel quite as genuine if she did. And it is something that bears saying right now.]

Even if this is a job, I am already enjoying myself tonight.

[There's a small look of surprise before his smile widens.]

Are you? We've barely done anything.

So?

[Her head falls to his shoulder. To be closer? To hide? A bit of both...]

Is it so strange of me to simply enjoy being in your company? And with you looking so dapper and handsome, too...

[A light chuckle escapes him as his arms move more around her, head lightly leaning against hers.]

Not at all. I just wonder when you became so easy to please—not that I'm complaining.

[She kisses him, the taste of her lips still spiced from the sauce.]

I think sometime in between all the gifts that you bribed me with.

[They both know that isn't true. There had come a point when she had become easy to please, though she's not quite sure when. She's not quite sure when this whole thing of theirs turned her into this doting little thing, but it's not as if she minds in the privacy of their own little world. She would just never call herself that aloud.]

Shall we continue on? See what other strange little delicacies the rich enjoy around here?

I'm glad to see them pay off.

[A quiet chuckle as he looks at her for a moment, that warmth that always forms in these moments spreading in ways that makes his thumb lightly roll over that fake ring over her finger before he leans into kiss her chastely on the lips. Truly, should anyone cast a glance their way they would look like a true couple in every sense of the word, with eyes only for each other.]

You can choose which to try this time. Perhaps some light wine as well?

[Only then will he step back so he could escort her back to the tables.]

[Her breath stutters when she feels his thumb over that ring, the motion only making that not-so-secret want swell in her chest, and for a moment, she wonders what it might feel like were it her own ring. A real one that they chose for themselves... Perhaps to match with one another.

The thought is gone all too quickly when he steps away from her, and her attention is turned to the tables lined with food again.]

Mm, some wine would be nice.

[She loops her arm through his as she nudges him in the direction of a different table, lined with different kinds of meats, bread platters, and spreads. Her eyes especially linger on the thinly cut steaks, and then the strange white spread made of little balls ~~it's white caviar~~ on some toasted baguettes. And after helping themselves to some glasses of red wine that someone brings through on a tray, she points to the bread.]

What is that?

[After procuring the glasses, Cid looks at the bread with ~~caviar~~ white balls with some curiosity.]

I don't think it's mimicking the pearls again...

[Hmmm, he feels he's seen this before but he can't quite place it.]

Want to try?

That is part of why we came here, was it not?

[She picks up a plate with her free hand and motions for him to start loading it up. Someone moves in to reach past them and grab one, forcing her to bump her hip into his, and she shoots them a look as they back away.]

And perhaps pick up a few pieces of those meats. They look expensive.

[He's only a little jostled by the bump, but he doesn't drop anything at least!]

Hm, what about some of these skewers?

[He says as he adds some anyway, loading that plate up with enough food for the two of them to sample the best looking of what there is for now.]

Whatever you can fit on the plate, my love.

[She glances at them and gives her nod of approval.]

A shame I did not think to bring a container to take some of this food back with us. Perhaps I could find the kitchen and help myself to one anyway...?

[He just chuckles at that.]

Might seem a bit "unrichly" of us if we carried containers, but you are more than welcome to the kitchen before we leave.

Oh?

[She arches a brow at him and reaches down for some sort of ham-looking thing. She is not much of a fan of it these days, but free food is free food, and she ought to at least try it to say that she has.

Just going to ignore the look that another haughty man eyes them and their plate.]

You are not going to try and stop me?

Why should I?

[A wry grin as he takes a kebab while moving them to an open high table they can perch at.]

The have plenty to spare, don't they?

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